The Memo

Archives for September 2016

Artist Asia Rainey recently moved from New Orleans to Tupelo and has brought her passion for the art form of spoken word poetry.

Rainey serves as the community outreach operations liaison at the Link Centre after finishing a two-year spoken word artist residency. She leads a creative writing and spoken word workshop at the Tupelo Police Athletic League and is now forming space at the Link Centre dedicated to spoken word poetry. That includes a home for her workshops for kids and adults, as well as creating the first international spoken word archive.

Daily Journal reporter Zack Orsborn (12:57) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to talk about the art form of spoken word poetry and Rainey’s efforts to spread it in Tupelo.

Tupelo city leaders are in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week to get ideas for possible ways civilian oversight of police could be implemented in Tupelo. A delegation is attending the conference for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, where it will learn from experiences of other cities.

On today’s episode, Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (6:31) joins Brad and guest co-host Lauren Wood to discuss what Tupelo’s delegation may learn at the conference. Caleb notes that the push to create a police advisory or review board in Tupelo is not new, but that it has gained momentum in the wake of the shooting death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert.

Also on today’s show, Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (13:25) breaks down an effort by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann to make it easier to track campaign contributions and expenditures of Mississippi politicians. Hosemann unveiled a new searchable campaign finance website on Tuesday and also is advocating for more election reforms.

Officials from the Mississippi education department were in Tupelo last week to discuss changes they will make under the new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act. That law replaces No Child Left Behind and aims to scale back the federal role in public education.

Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (11:08) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to explain the new law and talk about what changes will it will bring.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (19:13) discusses the debate over how Mississippi will spent its funds from the $750 million settlement with BP for the massive oil spill caused by the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico.

Both Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Attorney General Jim Hood – who likely will square off in the 2019 gubernatorial election – have advocated for spending the entire settlement in the three coast counties. Others, including some Northeast Mississippi lawmakers, say that money should be spread throughout the state.

The end of summer usually means two things for TV lovers: Football is back and new episodes of favorite shows are slated to return soon. On today’s episode of The Memo, Derek and Brad (29:52) look at the lineup of new and returning shows coming to network television this season and tell you what you need to know to be prepared.

Meanwhile, Daily Journal law enforcement reporter William Moore (7:56) talks about this year’s Community Forward Festival. Saturday’s event in Tupelo’s Gumtree Park is designed to bridge the gap between the community and the police.

William (11:41) also talks about the start of the Tupelo Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy.

The annual event that exposes eighth-grade students to various careers will be held Oct. 4 to 6 at the BancorpSouth Arena. This year, more than 7,000 eighth-grade students from 17 Northeast Mississippi counties will visit exhibits from 19 career pathways and 135 companies.

CREATE Foundation Communications Director Albine Bennett (9:31) joins Derek and Brad to talk about the impact of the event, changes this year and the need for volunteers.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal reporter Zack Orsborn (27:35) discusses a story he recently wrote about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, its impact on veterans and its connections with suicides. Zack talked to a family of veterans that have all suffered with PTSD and looks at what resources are available to help veterans in the region cope with the disorder.

Photographer Lauren Wood (37:54) talks about her photo essay on My Brother’s Cup coffee company and about the special mission that drives the Tupelo business.

Today’s show is all about the economy. That includes a positive trend for the city of Tupelo and more gloomy news at the state level.

Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (11:19) joins Derek and Brad to discuss Tupelo’s sales tax growth. For the first time, the city has collected more than $20 million in sales tax revenue – a sign that business is booming.

Meanwhile, Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (19:07) talks about a report by the Pew Charitable Trust that shows that Mississippi’s economy is more stagnant. The state rebounded to its pre-recession heights in 2015 but that growth has slowed recently. Last year, the state had less revenue than it did for the previous fiscal year. Democrats blame too many tax cuts, and Republicans cite other factors. Bobby has more information on the report and how trends in Mississippi compare to those in other states.

Almost two-and-a-half years have passed since Vanelli’s restaurant closed after a tornado damaged the iconic eatery. Its rebirth as Vanelli’s Bistro in downtown Tupelo is on the horizon.

Daily Journal business editor Dennis Seid (11:30) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to talk about the new-yet-familiar restaurant that plans to serve pizza and salads. An official opening has not yet been announced, but owner Voz Vanelli has been testing out the kitchen and food and says it will open soon.

Also on today’s show, Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (19:30) discusses a new website from the Secretary of State’s Office that will allow voters to update addresses and other information online rather than going to circuit clerks’ offices. Will the new Y’all Vote website build momentum for other initiatives proposed by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, such as online voter registration and early voting?

Budding entrepreneurs at Mississippi State now will have the chance to run their own business ideas past some of the biggest executives in Mississippi thanks to a new program being launched this week.

The Executive in Residence program will allow any student the chance to consult face-to-face with visiting business executives during designated office hours throughout the academic year. Participating executives include Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Old Waverly’s George Bryan and Hyperion Technologies’ Geoffrey Carter.

Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (6:15) joins Brad and guest host M. Scott Morris on today’s show to discuss the new program and the opportunity it provides for future business leaders.

The recent widespread outbreak of fall armyworms that destroyed yards overnight has horticulturists scratching their heads.

Fall armyworms ravaged the state for almost two weeks, beginning the third week in August. One of the worst yearly outbreaks of the caterpillars quickly turned many yards from green to brown or white.

Daily Journal home and garden editor Ginna Parsons (6:17) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to discuss the unexpected outbreak and its impact on your lawn. Although experts say the widespread infestation is over, the grass-eating pests are not gone for good, and Ginna has information on how to treat your yard if you see them.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is cutting $56.8 million from the $5.8 billion state budget just two months into the new fiscal year.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (11:39) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to provide more details on the cuts. How significant is it that the governor has had to make cuts just two months into the year and what does that mean for the outlook for the rest of the year? How will this affect various agencies?